Commentary: Left ventricular assist device infection

Heart failure affects 6.5 million adults in the United States. Since heart transplantation is limited by an organ shortage, durable mechanical circulatory support has rapidly evolved, Although we have made technological improvements to mechanical circulatory support over the years, providing today a 1-year survival at of 81%,1 infection remains the cation, contributing to major morbidity and mortality postLVAD. Infections may occur in 19% to 39% of recipients, resulting in more than 10% of LVAD-related deaths.2 Driveline infection is confirmed to be the most common However, these numbers have to be managed with care, and any comparison in terms of prevalence, outcome, and management may be inapplicable, given that there is a sues of the research in this field.